Radar Antenna Grouping for Mounting Error Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar apparatuses, particularly those with MIMO antennas, face challenges in maintaining performance due to installation position errors, which affect sensing accuracy and resolution, especially in automotive applications where precise angular and elevation information is crucial for collision avoidance and object detection.
Innovation Solution
A radar apparatus with a configuration of multiple transmitting and receiving antennas arranged in specific directions to form distinct groups, allowing for the measurement of elevation information and correction of vertical mounting errors through digital beam-forming, thereby adjusting the beam-forming directions to compensate for installation inaccuracies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple receiving antennas are arranged to increase angular resolving power, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving antenna system is segmented into multiple independent receiving channels, each with its own receiving antenna. This allows the system to achieve high angular resolving power through spatial diversity while keeping each individual channel relatively simple, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane antenna arrangement to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement of multiple receiving antennas at different positions and orientations. By utilizing the third dimension (vertical arrangement), the system achieves enhanced angular resolving power without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint, thus addressing the size complexity issue
2Device complexity
If MIMO radar is used to reduce the number of RF chips, then device complexity is reduced, but performance may deteriorate due to mounting position errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual mounting position of the radar is measured (using gravity sensors or other detection means), and this information is fed back to correct the beam-forming directions. This feedback loop compensates for position errors, maintaining sensing performance despite the simplified MIMO architecture with fewer RF chips
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the beam-forming direction parameters based on the measured mounting position. By changing the beam-forming parameters (angles, phases) according to the actual installation state, the system maintains optimal sensing performance even with reduced hardware complexity from MIMO configuration
3Ease of operation
If the radar is mounted on vehicles with limited space, then ease of installation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to mounting position errors
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system performs self-calibration by automatically measuring its own mounting position using integrated sensors (such as gravity sensors) and then autonomously correcting its beam-forming directions based on the measured deviations. This self-service capability eliminates the need for precise manual installation, allowing flexible mounting in vehicle spaces while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical precision requirement (exact manual mounting position) with an electronic/software-based solution (sensor measurement and digital beam-forming correction). This substitution allows the system to achieve high measurement precision without relying on precise mechanical installation, thereby improving ease of installation in vehicle environments
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a radar apparatus and a method of correcting an error of the radar apparatus. According to the present disclosure a first transmitting antenna group and a first receiving antenna group are constituted by elongating some of a plurality of transmitting antennas and a plurality of receiving antennas in a first direction of vertical directions, a second transmitting antenna group and a second receiving antenna group are constituted by elongating the other antennas in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and one or more of transmitting antennas that transmit transmission signals and one or more of receiving antennas that receive reflection signals are included in different groups, thereby being able to measure elevation information of an object and correct a mounting position of the radar apparatus on the basis of the information.